AIM ¶ 3-4-8 — National Security Areas
AIM 3-4-8 explains National Security Areas: voluntary avoidance, possible NOTAM prohibitions under 14 CFR 99.7, and what pilots should know.
In Plain English
National Security Areas (NSAs) are blocks of airspace with defined vertical and lateral dimensions established around ground facilities that require increased security and safety. They appear as depicted areas on aeronautical charts.
Key points from AIM 3-4-8:
- Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through a depicted NSA. This is a recommended practice, not a regulatory mandate by default.
- When greater security is needed, flight through an NSA can be temporarily prohibited by regulation under 14 CFR 99.7.
- Any regulatory prohibition is issued by System Operations Security and disseminated via NOTAM — so always check NOTAMs before a flight near an NSA.
- Questions about NSAs should be directed to System Operations Security.
Operationally, this means a routine NSA only asks for your cooperation, but a NOTAM can convert it into a hard no-fly zone. Treat NSAs as a NOTAM-check item during preflight planning, especially on cross-countries that pass near sensitive ground sites.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 3-4-83-4-8. 3-4-8. National Security Areas
NSAs consist of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through the depicted NSA. When it is necessary to provide a greater level of security and safety, flight in NSAs may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under the provisions of 14 CFR section 99.7. Regulatory prohibitions will be issued by System Operations Security and disseminated via NOTAM. Inquiries about NSAs should be directed to System Operations Security. REFERENCE- AIM, Para 5-6-1, National Security
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is a National Security Area (NSA) and what action is requested of pilots?
Per AIM 3-4-8, an NSA is airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established where increased security and safety of ground facilities is needed. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through a depicted NSA.
Q2Can flight through an NSA ever be legally prohibited, and how would you find out?
Yes. Per AIM 3-4-8, when a greater level of security is required, flight in an NSA may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under 14 CFR 99.7. The prohibition is issued by System Operations Security and disseminated via NOTAM, so pilots learn of it through NOTAM checks.
Q3Is voluntary avoidance of an NSA a regulatory requirement?
No. Per AIM 3-4-8, pilots are only requested to voluntarily avoid depicted NSAs. It becomes a regulatory prohibition only when temporarily issued under 14 CFR 99.7 and published via NOTAM.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 3